Jerome, AZ

Jerome, AZ., once known as the “Wickedest Town in The West” is perched on the side of Cleopatra Hill. In fact, if you walk from the bottom of town to the top, you will have climbed some 1500 feet! Established in 1876, Jerome sat on top of large deposits of copper. After 4 devastating fires, most buildings were then built from stone or brick. Mining thrived, and by the 1920s, Jerome boasted a population of nearly 15,000 on its hilltop haven. However, in 1953 the ore deposits gave out, and “King Copper” left town, and the population dwindled to a low of 50 residents.

The Jerome Historical Society guarded the buildings against vandalism and the elements, the Douglas Mansion became a State Park in 1965, and Jerome became a National Historic Landmark in 1976. During the 60's and 70's, during the time of the counter culture, Jerome offered a haven for artists. Soon newcomers and Jerome old timers were working together to bring Jerome back to life. Today, Jerome is very much alive with writers, artists, artisans, musicians, boutiques, restaurants, quaint inns, and B & Bs, with a population near 500.

Jerome is in the Verde Valley, some 70 miles south of Flagstaff, AZ. Only some 20 miles away is the well-known town of Sedona, AZ.


View from Jerome into the valley and the city of Cottonwood.






The Holy Family Catholic Church, built in 1894, still used today.









Several of the building have found "new" uses. Note the slope of the street.




Constant dynamiting in the mining operations, caused the town to shake, and eventually parts of the town actually slid downhill. This is what is left of the jail which moved 225 feet.